Kip's Bio

Kip grew up in Boston as the oldest daughter of a wealthy family. Her parents are cool, sophisticated society figures, not particularly known for emotional warmth. Kip felt detached from her family and, especially during her high school years, tried several ways to earn their attention. Her most successful endeavor was to join the school band as a majorette. Her mother was mortified that her daughter would engage in an activity that she considered "common" and forbade her to continue. But Kip persevered, using her own funds to attend a majorette camp in the midwest.

While Kip's majorette rebellion didn't continue much beyond a year or two, it did lead to her meeting Connie, a young woman from Ohio. Her friendship with Connie, albeit long-distance, provided her with the sincerity and warmth she was missing in her high-society lifestyle.

Kip and Connie -- Best Friends

On lark, Kip travelled to Hollywood to try acting. In a short period of time, she landed a number of choice movie roles. She is perhaps most famous for her role as Maggie the Cat in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

It was in California that Kip met Richard, a businessman from San Francisco. After a few weekends spent in Carmel-by-the-Sea, they realized they were in love. Richard proposed to her at Big Sur, while they watched the sun set at Nepenthe. The two were charged up with ideas--Richard had plenty of financial resources, and together they felt they could change the world. Tragically, however, Richard died in a racquetball accident only a few years into their marriage. Kip was left broken-hearted, a widow.

After Richard's death, Kip spiraled into a deep depression, turning to the bourbon bottle for comfort. Connie, alarmed at the change in her dearest friend, came out to California to intervene. She showed Kip that she still had a lot of life still left, and was in a unique opportunity to make changes in her environment.

Kip decided to continue the plans she and Richard had made. She used her social position to make friends with others who had social and political power. Invitations to her fabulous dinner parties became highly sought after. She used the connections she gained to further her goals of improving conditions for women and children world-wide. She helped raise funds for a state-of-the-art children's ward at a local hospital, and on her own, she funded a women's shelter in Oakland.

Kip on San Francisco magazine

Disclaimer: These bios apply to the Dawn dolls who live with me--your dolls may have different stories.